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ritchieg

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Posts posted by ritchieg

    Two Wheel Rx300's In The Snow

    in 99 - 03 Lexus RX300

    Posted

    How do the two wheel drive rx300's handle in the snow? How much of a diffrence from AWD?

    I have never driven the RX300 2wd but I do have an AWD. I have driven many 2wd cars in the snow in the Sierra mountains in Calif/Nevada and do know their limitations. I drove my RX300 AWD in Sierra snow three different times last winter and it handled great.

    Regarding the Front/Rear ratio of power: the ratio really does not matter unless you are in competition snow racing. Most of us do not use a lot of power when starting or accelerating in the snow. My understanding of the AWD system is that the ratio of 90/10 is used unless a tire starts slipping, then the ratio will change to reduce power to the slipping wheel to the point when it will regain traction. That means if both front wheels start slipping, the ratio could change to put more power to the rear with a ratio of say 75/25.

    In any case, I was very happy with the performance of the AWD. I did try to spin the wheels when starting from a stop but it would not do so. It just launched forward as if there was no snow. I also tried some slow turns with various power levels and found the car to be very "roadworthy."

    Good luck this winter & let us know how your RX handles in the snow.

    PS: my 2001 AWD has 46000 miles and never has had any transmission problems (knock on wood!).

    Too Much Wind Noise

    in 99 - 03 Lexus RX300

    Posted

    People who claims moving the roof rack cross bars makes a difference in wind noise, are you pulling our legs ? Unless the bars were loose and wriggly to begin with and you somehow secured it by 'moving' it, I cannot believe the position of the cross bar changes the overall aerodynamics of the car measurably. What's next ? Bending the antenna ?

    I have experienced an excessive amount of noise from the cross bars of a roof rack. I had a Toyota Camry and after installing a roof rack with cross bars, noticed a great mount of noise. I eventually made aerodynamic surfaces that wrapped around the cross bars to reduce the noise.

    I guess for me, it is only common sense that if the cross bars are moved away from the front of the car, it could reduce the noise level.

    Just my opinion.

    Gordon

    PS: I have a bit of wind tunnel experience & drag forces have a component of noise related to to the drag forces.

    Rx300 Navigation And Radio

    in 99 - 03 Lexus RX300

    Posted

    We have the Nav on ALL the time.  And we run everything else (radio, a/c, etc) at the same time.

    Do you mean that you can have the "map" on CONSTANTLY while driving, even if you don't put in an address? So when you turn the car on, the map is already up?

    Yes, we always have the Nav system on. If an address is not selected, then I set the screen to show gas milage and other things. You can also select a split screen with map on the left and other things on the right. It also shows the radio station.

    Acceleration Problems Rx330

    in 99 - 03 Lexus RX300

    Posted

    I have an RX 330 which accelerated on its own.  This occurred while attempting to shift from Drive to Park with the brake depressed.  I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem.

    As with the previous reply, it happened to me in a new BMW. The carpet was loose and bunched up next to the brake and accelerator. Every time I pressed on the brake, the carpet pushed the accelerator too. Very dangerous problem.

    Rx300 - Coach?

    in 99 - 03 Lexus RX300

    Posted

    coach had the perforated leather , black pearl badges and the signature floor mats

    Is the "coach" the same as the "silversport" or are they just different production years? When I bought my 2001 RX300 last year, I was told it was a silversport. It has perforated leather & a different style grille.

    What Octane Gas

    in 99 - 03 Lexus RX300

    Posted

    I use reg in my 2001 RX300. It does not ping and it never has. I have driven in the mountains as well as at sea level at temps from 15 to 100 F and it has always run great. I guess the spark retardation system does work.

    Would You Buy Another Rx?

    in 99 - 03 Lexus RX300

    Posted

    For those of you that have an rx300 or rx330, would you buy another rx after this one? Why or why not.....Just wondering if you were satisfied enough to buy another rx... ;)

    I have had a 2001 RX300 silversport for less than a year. I am very happy with it and will consider buying another Lexus SUV.

    I really like the AWD system when I am in snow (about 15 days a year). Horsepower and handling are not up to the standards of a high performance sports car but definitely okay for this type of car. If I wanted a high performance car, I would not have sold my Ferrari. The ride is very good, the navagation sysem is not as good as my BMW Z4 but definitely acceptable. I have not had to take the car in for anything except the first free oil change and that went just fine. The interior and accessories are excellent when compared to what I want.

    Key Button Problem

    in 99 - 03 Lexus RX300

    Posted

    my key has problems with the unlocking botton but not so much with the lock button. what should i do? i bought it used from a toyota dealership .

    Have you checked with the dealer you bought it from to correct the key problem? This is the first option!

    Rx Awd, 4wd, Fwd Ride Difference?

    in 99 - 03 Lexus RX300

    Posted

    Is the ride (feel) different with each transmission? Is it more quiet?

    I think some of the RX models have different suspensions which could have differnt "ride" characteristics. For example, the 2001 RX 300 Silversport edition is suposed to have Euro suspension which may provide a different ride. Maybe someone else can clarify this on newer models.

    Replacement Key Authorizing

    in 99 - 03 Lexus RX300

    Posted

    HI,

    I just bought a RX300-03 and it came with only one master key and 1 slave key.  I bought another key online (from a dealer) but I need to get it authorized  (the chip) by the system.  Anybody out there know how to do this?  I would greatly appreciate the time and effort.

    Bruce

    I did a quick search on "key" and found this which may answer your question:

    http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...c=17315&hl=keys

    Bad Beal Or Steal

    in 99 - 03 Lexus RX300

    Posted

    I just recently purchased a RX300, I think I got a good deal on it but Im not 100% sure. It gots, AWD, VHC, HID Lights, No Nav, Spoiler, 52000 miles and extra 3 year/36000 mile warrenty for $24000 (not including licenseing or tx ). Bad Deal or Steal ????

    Last year, I got my 2001 Silversport AWD with 36000 miles, navigation, 4 new tires, 3-year Lexus warrenty, 30,000 service, from a Lexus dealer for $27,000. It was a lease car & serviced by Lexus and their computerized service records showed only a couple of minor service issues during the prior 3 years and no body repairs due to accidents. Since it is about 6 months later than when I bought mine, I think $24,000 sounds okay but not a steal.

    Which Gas Whould You Suggest For Rx300?

    in 99 - 03 Lexus RX300

    Posted

    Have owned an RX since 2000. Have never run anything other than 87. If it doesn't ping on 87 don't waste your money on higher octane fuel. The extra few horsepower you MIGHT get out of the computer advancing the timing curve after input from the knock sensor really isn't worth the money. If you want a car that is faster, don't buy an RX.

    Many years ago I used to work for Shell Oil and was responsible for octane testing of fuels for engines in automobile, aircraft, chain saws, large trucks, etc. I found the web site below dated 7/30/2003 to be reasonable regarding octane requirements and gas mileage for engines with knock sensors.

    If the Lexus engine sensors, timing, etc. are set such that no knock is sensed with 89 octane at a given load on the engine but will sense knock with any lower octane, then using a fuel with higher octane at this load will not give more power unless something is changed (e.g., the timing).

    Can anyone tell me if the Lexus electronics will "advance" the timing and if so, what type of sensor is used?

    http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2003-0...remiumgas_x.htm

    Gas Mileage?

    in 99 - 03 Lexus RX300

    Posted

    In Southern Calif we get about 15 when driving in town & 20 when on highways (outside of LA). It is not as good as I would like; but, I like the AWD when in the snow areas a few times during the winter. My wife drives in town & does not try to get good milage. I know we could get about 17 in town if she really tried. And on the highways, if I drove 60 to 65 instead of 65 to 75, I'm sure we would get better than 20!

    Snow Problems? Rx330

    in 99 - 03 Lexus RX300

    Posted

    We have owned our 01 RX 300 Silversport with new OEM Bridgestone Duelers for less than 6 months. We bought it so we could drive Mammoth Ski area as well as Yosemite and not have to put chains on (unless it gets too deep or icy).

    We have been in the snow twice. I frist drove on snow covered parking lots to see how it handled: it was great for steering as well as braking. But, I did not try it on slipery steep roads.

    Options

    in 99 - 03 Lexus RX300

    Posted

    I have an RX 300 and a BMW Z4, both with nav. Because my wife really needs them (and because I want them too), we will never have another car without it. I gladly paid the $2K to $3K extra. Regarding the Levinson audio and Laser cruise, I can do without both. But I guess it just personal preference as to what each of us thinks is important. Good luck.

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